Etna, the great volcano

Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest and most powerful volcano in Europe, with its 3320 meters high (in 2019) and 160 km in circumference at its base, has always been in almost continuous activity since the times of its birth, with its colossal mass it dominates the north-east of Sicily and the shores of the Ionian Sea.
Arriving at its slopes, you will be fascinated to contemplate this majestic volcano that stands out in the Sicilian sky, since the most remote antiquity. It is the breath of the primordial earth, unstoppable. It is the power of nature that frightens and at the same time it is beauty that seduces. Its incessant activity has generated myths and legends, in which extremes meet. “The giants Typhon and Enceladus locked up under the volcano by the Olympians, violently shook the mountain and the fire escaped with a great roar from the infernal workshop where the Cyclops forged the weapons of Zeus.“

Our journey starts from the Sapienza refuge, where my photographer friend Massimo and I meet our volcanological guide Giuseppe. The expedition made up of two photographers and a guide, leaves for the first section with the Etna cable car.
Our journey starts from the Sapienza refuge, where my photographer friend Massimo and I meet our volcanological guide Giuseppe. The expedition made up of two photographers and a guide, leaves for the first section with the Etna cable car.
During the ascent, the vegetation disappears in front of a lunar world, a universe of stone, wind and snow, a desert of mineral dust. In just 15 minutes you reach an altitude of 2504 m. After the ascent of 581 m. the second part of the excursion begins.
During the ascent, the vegetation disappears in front of a lunar world, a universe of stone, wind and snow, a desert of mineral dust. In just 15 minutes you reach an altitude of 2504 m. After the ascent of 581 m. the second part of the excursion begins.
The service is carried out with special off-road vehicles driven by expert drivers who travel the most steep paths in absolute peace.
The service is carried out with special off-road vehicles driven by expert drivers who travel the most steep paths in absolute peace.
The off-road vehicle climbs up a road, which despite being the month of May, had two snow walls more than 4 meters high on either side.
The off-road vehicle climbs up a road, which despite being the month of May, had two snow walls more than 4 meters high on either side.
Along the road with the high snow walls, in just 20 minutes we reach an altitude of 2,900 m. above sea level.
Along the road with the high snow walls, in just 20 minutes we reach an altitude of 2,900 m. above sea level.
We are faced with an incomparable scenery suspended over the sea, where you can admire the imposing central crater, the South-East crater and the historic lava flows that characterize the Etnean landscape.
We are faced with an incomparable scenery suspended over the sea, where you can admire the imposing central crater, the South-East crater and the historic lava flows that characterize the Etnean landscape.
We begin the climb on foot to the highest peak of the volcano. We are enveloped in a surreal calm, but unfortunately this calm is constantly threatened by the rages of the volcano.
We begin the climb on foot to the highest peak of the volcano. We are enveloped in a surreal calm, but unfortunately this calm is constantly threatened by the rages of the volcano.
The clear cloud that emerges from the top of the craters is a clear sign of tranquility for the people who live on the slopes of the "mountain". In fact, man since he has inhabited these regions looks with fear at the dark cloud that comes out from the top of the mountain, a disturbing plume that can reach tens of kilometers and plunge cities and villages into deep darkness.
The clear cloud that emerges from the top of the craters is a clear sign of tranquility for the people who live on the slopes of the "mountain". In fact, man since he has inhabited these regions looks with fear at the dark cloud that comes out from the top of the mountain, a disturbing plume that can reach tens of kilometers and plunge cities and villages into deep darkness.
During the climb our guide stops to take, with such delicacy, a butterfly, "this is a rare Anthocharis Damone, called: The Aurora of Etna", it is a beautiful endemic butterfly, today at risk of extinction due to changes in the natural environments in which it lives. Its name derives from the presence on the wings of an orange spot that recalls the rising of the sun, that is the dawn.
During the climb our guide stops to take, with such delicacy, a butterfly, "this is a rare Anthocharis Damone, called: The Aurora of Etna", it is a beautiful endemic butterfly, today at risk of extinction due to changes in the natural environments in which it lives. Its name derives from the presence on the wings of an orange spot that recalls the rising of the sun, that is the dawn.
We continue the climb on the southwestern ridge of the volcano, the black cones of the adventitious craters, which we meet along the way, are the sinister vestiges of terrible and recent lateral eruptions. The summit crater area never remains the same over time, on the contrary, it changes continuously. Suffice it to say that only one hundred and twenty years ago the summit of the volcano culminated with a single Central Crater, while today we find four, proof of rapid and marked morpho-structural changes.
We continue the climb on the southwestern ridge of the volcano, the black cones of the adventitious craters, which we meet along the way, are the sinister vestiges of terrible and recent lateral eruptions. The summit crater area never remains the same over time, on the contrary, it changes continuously. Suffice it to say that only one hundred and twenty years ago the summit of the volcano culminated with a single Central Crater, while today we find four, proof of rapid and marked morpho-structural changes.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
Today the Etna volcano is characterized by 4 summit craters, the first crater where we arrive is the Southeast Crater, which has recently been the most active of the four craters. This configuration contrasts considerably with that of about a century ago, when only the Central Crater was located at the top of Etna.
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Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
Continuing in a threatening atmosphere of mephitic clouds, a frightening abyss opens on the west side: the "New Bocca". Still active today, the crater is still growing larger. Its 300 meters wide shaft encloses many eruptive vents in its smoky depths. The fumes that come out millions of cubic meters from the crater chimney consist of water vapor, acids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid and many other equally unbreathable and corrosive components.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
We go towards the central crater "La Voragine". The crumbling walls of this 500 m diameter chasm are lost vertically in a sometimes unfathomable smoky void. The depth of the chasm varies according to the height of the magma in the chimney, today more than a thousand meters, tomorrow, perhaps only a few dozen. Seemingly peaceful, the central crater holds terrible power in its flanks.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
The last crater awaits us, that of the Northeast, which during the 2016 eruptions showed intense Strombolian activity, which eventually caused the almost total obstruction of the crater and the collapse of its southern rim. In November 2017 the bottom of the Northeast Crater sank and reopened, returning to emit the gaseous plume that characterizes it. Today, the Northeast Crater continues to be, albeit slightly, the highest point on Etna - 3324 meters above sea level.
We make a short stop in a small refuge for guides and off on the way back. Etna, mother mountain or ambiguous volcano? Unspoiled paradise or scary hell? Its landscapes have certainly ignited the ingenuity of many poets and tired the feathers of travelers. Snow and fire, fertile land and arid rock. Black skiing and colorful woods. Images that will remain indelible in our memory.
We make a short stop in a small refuge for guides and off on the way back. Etna, mother mountain or ambiguous volcano? Unspoiled paradise or scary hell? Its landscapes have certainly ignited the ingenuity of many poets and tired the feathers of travelers. Snow and fire, fertile land and arid rock. Black skiing and colorful woods. Images that will remain indelible in our memory.

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